Sonny Bill's next boxing opponent is disabled

Published Jun. 2, 2011 9:48 a.m. ET

foxsports

The professional boxing career of All Blacks rugby star Sonny Bill Williams faces a new credibility test after revelations his next opponent is on welfare for a disability which prevents him from working.

Williams will face 43-year-old Tongan gospel singer Alipate Liava'a in a six-round heavyweight bout in Auckland on Sunday. Liava'a is now being investigated by New Zealand welfare authorities as he claims he can't find a job because he has tennis elbow.

Sunday's bout will be the fourth of Williams' professional career and follows fights with a New Zealand nightclub bouncer and an Australian forklift driver.

Liava'a stands to earn 6,000 New Zealand dollars ($4,900) from the fight and intends to use the money to finance an album of gospel songs.